Coffee Culture

Heey Dear Foodies,

I know you’re excited for this topic. Let me see ‘’Coffee Lovers’’.

My love for coffee extends far back to when I was just a kid and love for coffee has developed over the years. Now look at that. Here we are. There is no smell I love waking up to more than fresh brewed coffee. I have always loved the taste of coffee and I appreciate the taste of coffee without any creamers or sugar. When you appreciate coffee for more than the caffeine it provides, that’s when you truly begin to love coffee. Trust me. There is nothing more inviting and comforting than conversations over coffee. This has become a trend in today’s culture, going on coffee dates, meeting up for coffee bla blaa. Unlike most trends, this is actually a good trend that should stay. Let’s take a look to be a really #CoffeeLover.

The Discovery of Coffee

(in short)

It is not known exactly when coffee as a drink was discovered. However, we do know that the coffee plant originated in Ethiopia, where coffee beans were consumed either as a paste or as a drink, for their medicinal properties. The shrub was introduced to Yemen around the 14th century and it was then that the first coffee plantations were created. Muslim mystics and pilgrims appreciated coffee for its energising powers, so it travelled to Mecca. From that moment onwards, its success became unstoppable, bowling over Cairo, the Middle East and Constantinople, before arriving in Europe in the early 17th century.

Unlike chocolate, which remained a luxury for the privileged for a long time, coffee, which was less-expensive, was adopted by all levels of society and welcomed into homes during the 19th century. A morning cup of coffee gradually replaced traditional broths or soups and became established as a great classic.

Coffee Beans

There are 3 main types of coffee beans. The names of these coffee beans are Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. There are also sub-types of these beans. But these are the main bean types. These types of beans take on different flavors while they are being processed and harvested.

1-Arabica

You’re possibly familiar with this commonly produced coffee bean; it accounts for over 60% of the world’s coffee production. Arabica is the most delicate of the 3. It must be farmed with great care. Because it is one of the more popular beans, Arabica is often grown in large quantities. Higher quality Arabica beans have a bright body, possess a satisfying amount of acidity, and tend to have a multi-layered intricacy of flavors and aromas, Arabica coffees can be best sampled on the front palate. Note that the quality of the Arabica bean diminishes when served cold or with creamer. It is best served hot, perhaps brewed with the pour-over or drip coffee technique.

2-Robusta

Robusta as it comes second to Arabica as the world’s most produced coffee. Robusta coffee beans have almost double the amount of caffeine compared to Arabica beans. When drinking, Robusta coffee is best sampled on the back palate, which gives it a heavier body. Higher quality Robusta beans have a smooth texture, low acidity, and often have hints of chocolate associated with their flavor profile. For the best tasting experience when brewing at home, buy Robusta coffee that has information on the way it was grown. This is a perfect coffee for cream and sugar lovers! A good quality Robusta will not lose flavor when adding milk or sugar.

3-Liberica

Liberica is harder to come by in the coffee world these days but this varietal has an important place in the world’s coffee history. In 1890, coffee rust decimated over 90% of the world’s Arabica stock. Liberica beans are larger than the others, often asymmetrical, and they’re the only coffee bean in the world that has such an irregular shape. The beans are said to have a unique aroma, consisting of floral and fruity notes, with a full body that possesses a smoky taste those who have had Liberica coffee say that it is unlike any coffee they have ever tasted.

Coffee Roasts

To prepare the green coffee bean for brewing, it must first be roasted. Coffee beans are roasted with dry heat and with constant agitation to ensure even heating. The range of roasts varies from light golden brown all the way to a dark, almost black appearance. Varying the roasting time has a significant effect on the flavor, aroma, and color of the brewed coffee. Although there are several levels of roasting, they can be grouped into three main categories: light, medium, and dark.

Light: Light roasts provide the lightest, most delicate flavors and can often be more acidic. Because there is less of a roasted flavor, the original flavor of the bean is allowed to shine through. High-quality beans or varietals with very distinct flavors are often roasted light to allow the original flavor to remain prominent.

Medium: Medium-roasted beans will have a chocolate brown color, dry surface, and a full flavor. These beans will have less acidity than lightly roasted beans and a slightly sweet, toasty flavor. Due to the balanced flavor and acidity, this is the most popular roast within the major commercial coffee market.

Dark: Dark-roasted coffee is roasted until the sugars begin to caramelize and the oils begin to rise to the surface of the bean. Depending on the darkness of the roast, the bean may have a slight sheen or an oily appearance. The flavor of dark-roasted beans is strong, smoky, and sometimes spicy. The original flavor of the bean is overpowered by the roasted flavor and therefore lower quality beans are often used for darker roasts. Although these roasts have low acidity, they are often described as bitter.

Coffee Acidity

Acidity is a primary coffee flavor sensation that is perceived as a pleasing sharpness toward the front of the mouth, a numbing sensation on the tip of the tongue or a dryness at the back of the palate or under the edges of the tongue. It denotes or helps to describe the quality of a coffee.

Acidity is one of the major coffee characteristics along with body, aroma, sweetness, bitterness and aftertaste used by coffee professionals to describe the taste of a coffee. It has nothing to do with the pH of the coffee. Acidity is generally very noticeable and can be described as being sweet, crisp or tart. Like a dry wine. This enhances other qualities in the coffee. Coffee roast levels play a part in the acidity of coffee. Acidity will generally decrease and become less prominent as a roast gets darker, a light or medium roast will have higher acidity than a dark or espresso roast.

Types of Coffee Drinks

Frappucino

The frappuccino is a coffee blended with ice, espresso, whole milk, sugar, flavored syrup and topped with whip cream.

Cafe Mocha

This variant of the cafe latte is an American invention, one inspired by the coffee beverage Bicerin. The cafe mocha is an espresso-based drink with hot milk and chocolate.

Americano

Many espresso-based drinks use milk, but not Americano. The drink also uses espresso but is infused with hot water instead of milk.

Cafe Latte

Cafe lattes are considered an introductory coffee drink since the acidity and bitterness of coffee is cut by the amount of milk in the beverage. Flavoring syrups are often added to the latte for those who enjoy sweeter drinks.

Espresso

This coffee beverage is made by forcing nearly boiling water under pressure through ground coffee beans, resulting in a brew that’s thicker than those made from other brewing methods.

Affogato

The affogato originated from Milan and its name literally translates as “drowned.” This coffee-based beverage uses the hot and bitter espresso to melt the gelato.

Cappuccino

This Italian coffee drink is traditionally made with espresso, hot milk, and topped with foamed milk, often prepared with a milk steamer for a thicker froth.

Iced Coffee

Iced coffees become very popular in the summertime. The recipes do have some variance, with some locations choosing to interchange milk with water in the recipe. Sometimes different flavoring syrups will be added per the preference of the customer.

Cafe Au Lait

The beverage’s name literally translates to “coffee with milk,” very apt as one of its essential components is the thinning of the strong coffee with warm creamy milk.

Benefits of Coffee (the right amount of)

-Can Improve Energy Levels

-Can Help You Burn Fat

-Can Strongly Improve Physical Performance

-May Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson’s

-May Protect You From Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

-Can Fight Depression and Make You Happier

-May Protect Your Liver and will thank you

-Your DNA will be stronger.

Oh, coffee… It’s hard to imagine a day without it. Do you start the day with a mug of coffee, followed by a second mug, and then a third around? It turns out there’s a perfect amount of coffee to drink and it’s more than you think. So go ahead and keep on pouring #CoffeLoversFoodies!

Me?

I love you both. A perfect match, right?

See you next week.

Your CoffeeAddictFoodie. ❤